Toronto paves way for Jack Layton Way Special

Toronto
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The City of Toronto unveiled the Jack Layton Way to honour the former federal NDP leader and Ward 30 councillor who passed away in August 2011. A new saying was also revealed: “The Jack Layton Way.”

Layton’s widow, MP Olivia Chow addressed roughly 100 spectators in front of the Toronto Jail. People in the audience were wearing buttons that stated “transit” and “arts” with a street sign at the bottom reading: “…it’s the Jack Layton Way.”

Chow said, “It’s very fitting that we have a menacing jail and have it transformed to a place where there’s healing, where there’s hope, where there’s lots of love. That is so much the Jack Layton way.”

Layton was involved in the area working on projects including the extravagant entrance to East Chinatown. Chinese lion dancers revealed both signs and one took an unfortunate tumble unveiling the second sign at Broadview Street.

Councillor Paula Fletcher proposed the idea to rename Don Jail Roadway to Jack Layton Way as part of the Bridgepoint Health redevelopment. Other NDP MPs and MPPs joined the ceremony, as well as Layton’s children councillor Mike Layton and Sarah Layton.